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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

When we last visited the boring baby blue shirt, plain and tall, it was not what I would tag and call my own. Bulky finished edges, kinda roomy through the back. Yeah. So I trimmed the yellow and pink nightgown-turned-bias-tape at the seam....

folded the excess down on the front and stitched a straight seam on the back, securing it in place....

then trimmed it right up next to the seam, leaving a raw edge with the yellow and pink knit. When you tend toward bohemian and upcycled style, you can do this! It isn't fussy, it is cute and fun!

I also put a few pleats in the back to take up the extra fabric and provide a slimmer fit. Adds a bit of interest, too.

Would pockets make it too busy? I can't decide. I haven't put it in the store yet, so pockets might make a great sequel. Whaddya think? Should I add some pockets?

Monday, July 9, 2012

So I found this pale blue shirt in the closet, and cannot figure out where it came from! It is a big and tall shirt, and the collar is stained. My favorite! Great fabric, and lots of it!

Here we go!

I started drawing it out on one side, changed my mind and redrew it a bit smaller (a little more multi-sized).

(I also thought I could do something with the sleeves, like make a little pair of bloomers for underneath, but upon dreaming up what that would look like, I passed. I really like repurposing, but I don't think sleeve cuffs for pant legs would be as cute as it would look like an arts-n-crafts project.)

After cutting out one side, I folded at midline, and traced the other side. There! Cut out front and back in one cutting.

To finish, side seams stitched and serged. So now what?

I have a stash of ribbons and ric rac bits that fills an milk crate. So I got to play around til I found a layout I liked.

I cut out 2 inch strips, folded them in half and pressed them, then serged the raw edges, right sides together, to the neck and arm openings.

And.....

Yeah....I must be honest, I didn't like the look. It looks too bulky on the finished edge. Not petite and girly. So I tried it on my niece....and confirmed.....I need to fix it. I said I would post today, so I'll leave you in suspense to see what the "fix" looks like. Next post will have the finished, store-ready product.

We all have ideas that don't work out. I just like to post mine! The joy of working with salvaged fabric and no pattern is that I don't have to hope for the best, I make my own best work happen. Just have to be creative. See me tomorrow. :)

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Yikes! Has it really been a month since I've posted? Just a wave to say I'm still here, I've got a real post with pics coming up, and thanks for being patient. The hot weather is not doing me any favors as far as excess energy, and I've had a sick kid that I wouldn't dream of putting on our wonderful new babysitter. Priorities arranged, kids in the pool with dad, and I'm in my upstairs oven/sewing room putting together a new dress for the store.....here's what I'm working with....

the preface....and the lady at the sewing machine

Once upon a time, a tiny little boy named Xander pointed out a tractor moving across a field and proclaimed it "DooDah". Much to Mama Brandy's delight, he continued to declare all tractors "Doodahs". So inspired was Xander by "Doodahs" that after seeing his friend wearing a "Doodah" shirt, he needed a shirt representing the object of his affection..now! Mama Brandy grabbed a boring old t-shirt and her sewing machine, and soon Xander was off running to display his new "Doodah" finery. Mama Brandy loved the results and wanted to try it again. So with her passion for creative sewing and a strong commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle, a star was born! Each garment creation is completely unique, partially or completely handmade from quality recycled, upcycled, salvaged and repurposed materials and durable enough for daily wear. Xander still wears "Doodah" apparel regularly, Mama Brandy encourages everyone to Think Global Shop Local..and they all lived happily ever after!